Transhipment installation, particularly for containers

Abstract

A container loading and unloading device is described wherein containers are raised along a substantially vertical path, thereafter displaced along a horizontal path and finally lowered along a vertical path. The device comprises at least one horizontal girder supported by a frame; at least two hoists disposed for raising and lowering of the containers, the hoists being supported by and movable over the girder and operatively positioned a distance from each other; and at least one substantially horizontally extending continuous conveyor for the horizontal displacement of the containers. Such conveyor is situated between the hoists and includes a support for at least one container and means for displacing such support and container placed thereon along a horizontal path from a point near one hoist to a point near the other.

I claim: 
     
       1. A container loading and unloading device wherein containers are raised along a substantially vertical path, thereafter displaced along a horizontal path and finally lowered along a vertical path, said device comprising: a first horizontal girder supported by a frame at a predetermined elevation above a floor;   at least two hoists disposed for raising and lowering of the containers, said hoists being supported by and movable over said girder and operatively positioned a distance from each other;   a second horizontal girder supported by the frame beneath said first girder;   a set of horizontal parallel arms extending beyond the frame and pivotally connected to said second horizontal girder such that the arms can be moved with respect to said second horizontal girder, means for raising and lowering said arms; and   at least one substantially horizontally extending continuous conveyor for the horizontal displacement of the containers, said conveyor being mounted on said parallel arms for movement thereon between said hoists, said conveyor including a support for at least one container and means for displacing said support and container placed thereon along a horizontal path from a point near one hoist to a point near the other hoist.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1, wherein said conveyor is a chain conveyor. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2, wherein said chain conveyor comprises two pairs of chains and a plurality of spaced apart rods between each pair of chains, said rods extending at right angles to said chains, said rods being provided with bearing surfaces. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for raising and lowering said parallel arms are cables attached separately to each of said arms. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 4, wherein said conveyor comprises: a frame having wheels secured thereon for rolling engagement with guide tracks carried on said parallel arms;   a pair of guiding members carried by said frame inside said parallel arms;   a plurality of rods extending transversely to said guide members, said rods having a bearing surface thereon for receiving containers of more than one size;   a plurality of rollers mounted on both ends of said rods, said rollers being guided along said guiding members and interconnected by an endless chain; and   chain drive wheels engaging said endless chain and being driven by a motor.